‘You’ve all teased me about him, you mean. But yes, you’re right, Daisy. I have carried a torch for Paulo since I were knee-high to a donkey, as they say. Right from my first visit to France. And it seems that he has for me. I had a letter. I’m so happy.’

Happiness wasn’t the entire truth of how she felt; more a sad longing, and a deep hope for Paulo’s safety. But she was glad this turn in the conversation had done what she intended and lifted the mood.

‘Well, we’d better make a move.’

‘Oh, naw, Florrie, is that the time? I don’t want you to go.’

Sibbie suddenly realized how upset Rosie was going to be, not to have her sisters in the same country, as she jumped up and clung to Florrie.

‘Don’t make it any harder for us, Rosie lass.’

As Daisy wiped a tear away, Sibbie felt a surge of emotion as the reality of the situation hit her. The four of them had been together most of their lives, or at least within a distance where they could reach one another, but now two of them were going thousands of miles away. Fear came to her, as she let her mind visit what she’d refused to think about. Florrie and Daisy would be on a ship voyage for weeks and weeks, and the seas were so dangerous. Oh God!

She’d envied them, but now she was afraid for them.

At the station they all hugged and hugged, as if for the very last time. Marjie looked lost as she tried to comfort them all.

It was Daisy who, as usual, settled everything down. ‘Eeh, this won’t do; me make-up’s run all down me face, and me a sister an’ all. Let’s all start to laugh instead of cry. Let’s have a happy send-off, eh?’

It took an extreme effort, but Sibbie did make them all laugh. ‘You look like a panda, Daisy – how much mascara did you use? I bet Rimmel’s got none left.’

The giggles were watery, nervous ones, but they were giggles, and they lightened the mood.

‘Eeh, help me . . . Naw, don’t spit on your hanky, our Rosie. That’s what Ma used to do when we were kids. I hated it when she rubbed me face with her wet hanky.’

This made them laugh even more, as memories came from one girl and then another.

‘I have some toilet water. I’ll put that on my handkerchief, and you can tidy up your eyes with that.’

‘Ta, Marjella. Somebody with a sensible suggestion at last.’